Financial outlet 24/7 Wall St has issued a bullish 2026 outlook for XRP as Ripple prepares to launch RLUSD in Japan.
Predictions about XRP reaching a new all-time high by the end of 2025 are gradually waning amid the ongoing bearish trend. Even with the launch of spot XRP ETFs, including one from Bitwise and Canary, the token failed to stage a strong rally.
Meanwhile, more XRP ETFs are launching this week, including Grayscale’s GXRP and Franklin Templeton’s EZRP.
Notably, XRP has traded between $1.83 and $2.39 since last week. With XRP trading at $2.06 at press time, it is down 43.56% from its multi-year high of $3.65.
As market conditions remain uncertain, investors and analysts are shifting their attention to 2026. Many believe XRP could stage a strong recovery next year, and 24/7 Wall St is among the bullish commentators.
In a recent analysis, the platform pointed to the upcoming launch of Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan as a key catalyst that could boost XRP’s performance next year.
It described Japan as Ripple’s most strategically important market heading into 2026, highlighting the country’s clear crypto rules and fully defined stablecoin regulations. Specifically, Ripple and its longtime partner, SBI, are preparing to roll out RLUSD in Japan by the first quarter of 2026.
According to 24/7 Wall St, Japan’s legal framework could enable banks and payment firms to adopt RLUSD immediately, with SBI integrating it directly into its remittance networks.
Although RLUSD will primarily support USD-based settlements, its introduction could increase interest in XRP, potentially strengthening the asset’s position heading into 2026.
Notably, 24/7 Wall St lays out three price scenarios for XRP. They all depend on how quickly RLUSD gains traction in Japan, with XRP ETFs as a supporting factor.
In the most optimistic scenario, 24/7 Wall St assumes that banks and payment processors adopt RLUSD early, driving significant usage across major corridors — particularly between Japan and the Philippines. It projected monthly settlement volumes in this corridor alone to reach around $300 million.
Concurrently, inflows from XRP ETFs are expected to grow steadily, while a decline in Bitcoin dominance could enable altcoins to recover. Under these conditions, XRP could climb into the $3.50-$4.50 range by the end of 2026, according to 24/7 Wall St.
The base scenario assumes SBI leads early RLUSD adoption, while other banks move cautiously. Monthly volumes for RLUSD in Japan are projected to range between $100 million and $150 million.
With Bitcoin dominance remaining high, altcoin rotation would be limited. As a result, the outlook expects XRP to trade between $2.30 and $3.30 for most of 2026.
In the bearish scenario, 24/7 Wall St projects that XRP could remain in the $1.80-$2.10 range throughout 2026. This assumes that RLUSD integration in Japan is delayed into late 2026 due to regulatory hurdles, while institutional investors scale back exposure to XRP ETFs. Additionally, a rise in Bitcoin dominance to around 65% could further limit liquidity for altcoins.
These scenarios highlight how RLUSD adoption, ETF inflows, and Bitcoin dominance could shape XRP’s trajectory in the coming year.
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